100 not out - Nathaniel Brown scores a ton

by

Nathaniel Brown (seated) is surrounded by children and grandchildren during an event held at the Granville Baptist Church in Trelawny last week.

Nathaniel Brown is 100 not out.

1

2

Nathaniel Brown's 100 years of existence has been marked by his commitment to God, family and his farm.

Born on April 6, 1918, in Carey Park, Trelawny, to Jeremiah Brown and Harriott McKie, Brown has no major health issues.

His daughter Nezzie, one of his 11 children, said Brown's greatest health scare was in 2015 when he contracted the mosquito-borne disease, chikungunya.

"The doctor said that if it wasn't for this we would have to sun him," Nezzie said, as she boasted about her father's longevity and good health.

"He moves around the house unaided. When he leaves the house to go to church or anywhere, we go with him, but more so out of precaution," she said.

BELIEF IN GOD

Brown credits his longevity to his belief in God and his reliance on good food.

"I love to go to church and sing my favourite song, Great Is Thy Faithfulness. God has been faithful to me," he stated. "Some people get to live for three score years and ten; some, by reason of strength, live to four score years. I am now gone over five score years. God is a good God," he said.

As a farmer, Brown, who grew up on Whyms Road to live with his wife Ameilia Ferguson Brown, who predeceased him in 2003, cultivated sugar cane, bananas and yams. He also reared cows, goats and common fowls.

"I remember that we were never hungry, and had to go to church and school," his son Ian told Western Star.

DEVOTED CHRISTIAN

According to the younger Brown, his father was not one to spare the rod and even when he could no longer hand out the punishment himself, designated their big brother, Trevor, to do the beating.

A devote Christian from as early as he can remember, Brown moved from St James to Granville in Trelawny, and has been a member of the Baptist Church, where he has served in various capacities over the years. He is now a deacon emeritus in his church.

"He has always been a Christian and taught us all to be thankful and always pray to God Almighty," Ian said.

Brown's family member last week organised a series of events, including a church service at Granville Baptist Church, a fun day at Rafter's Village and dinner in Runaway Bay to allow them to celebrate their patriarch. The centenarian was glad for the events.

"This celebration that they have planned for me reaches deep down in my heart," the elder Brown said. "I remember all my children's names, but they have to remind me of the names of my grandchildren and great-grands because they are too much."